Food Safety and Standards Authority of India bans use of staple pins in tea bags

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India bans use of staple pins in tea bags

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) has recently issued a circular dated 24th July, 2017 banning the use of staple pins in tea bags.

The Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003 defines tea bag as a packet containing tea in bags made of filter-paper, nylon net and /or any other acceptable material.

In the present circular, FSSAI has noted that the usage of staple pins in tea bags constitutes risk to public health and safety. Therefore, FSSAI has directed every concerned Food Business Operator (“FBO”) to discontinue the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by 1st January, 2018. The FBOs who are engaged in the business of manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags have to refrain from using staple pin in tea bags from 1st January, 2018.